MSU News and Notes | Thursday, May 3, 2012

Here's your news and notes for Thursday Bulldog fans:

• I'm sure you've heard by now, but Bulldog Ace Pitcher Chris Stratton was named to the Golden Spikes midseason watch list this Tuesday. The award is given annually to the nation's best collegiate baseball player. Stratton joins Ole Miss players Bobby Wahl and Alex Yarbrough on the 60-man midseason list. The award is handed out at season's end.

• Yesterday the nation's #1 college football recruit, Robert Nkemdiche, tweeted that he is "Considering Mississippi State." This is exciting and all, because, you know, HE'S NUMBER ONE. Of course his list is about a mile long at this point, and State would have to beat out the likes of LSU, Yancy, and others for his services. Side note from Marcello's story that I guess I missed until today: Nkemdiche lives with Nick Schuessler's family - yes, the Nick Schuessler we just signed at QB after lil' Farve left. And no, I'M SURE DAN MULLEN DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NKEMDICHE WHEN HE SIGNED SCHUESSLER. The all caps was supposed to insinuate that I was lying, in case you missed it.

• To clear up any confusion there may have been yesterday, no, MSU does not actually make Quay Evans wear a shock collar at football practice. That story was for giggles and because we're perpetually bored this time of year. Apparently some peeps (or one lady on our FB page) thought the story was true. I'm sorry mam for the confusion.

• State heads to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on SEC cellar dweller Alabama on the diamond. On paper it would seem like State should breeze through this weekend's series, but nothing in the SEC - and more specifically with Mississippi State - is ever guaranteed. State should win the series IF not sweep, but again the Bulldogs will need strong performances from Stratton, Graveman and the rest of the Bulldog pitching staff to pull out the series win. No word right now on CT Bradford's shoulder, which can't be good news. Then again, Cohen has been all used car salesman with his injury news this year, so Bradford could be back tomorrow. Who knows.

• Missed this as well earlier in the week (started new job, have been semi busy), but congrats to MSU men's tennis for being selected as one of the host sites for an NCAA Regional. The Bulldogs will entertain Baylor, Memphis and Alcorn State as the #9 seed overall in this year's tournament. If you're in town next weekend (May 12th) go out and support the guys.

• A plug for my homies over at Bulldog Sports Radio, but don't forget Moulds and Madkin, their new show featuring Bulldog greats Eric Moulds and Wayne Madkin, airs its' debut episode this upcoming Monday, May 7th. Should be good stuff, and yes I plan to text in to Moulds and ask if he really used to (ALLEGEDLY) order pizza during practice.

• We'll talk more about this after the late signing period is officially through with in a couple weeks, but man has Rick Ray's staff done a solid job of putting together a decent basketball class at the last minute. Ray earlier this week signed EMCC and JUCO All-American forward Colin Borchert, a 6'8" guard from Georgetown who also had an offer from Georgetown, and some great offers out of HS as well several years ago. Now he is looking to wrap this class up with another PG - Trivante Bloodman out of Olney Central Community College in Illinois. We don't know much about Bloodman at this point, but he will certainly fill the place of former signee P.J. Hardwick, who "re-opened his recruitment" this past week. Hardwick was essentially a package deal with former signee Josh Gray, who was released from his LOI last month.

• Yesterday I found former Coach Sylvester Croom's most lasting legacy in the MSU record books.

That's it for today guys, go out and make it a great one.

#HailState